Jesus was always challenging the status quo among the religious community. Not just to upset them, but because He cared for people. The Jews became upset with Jesus because he healed a man on the Sabbath. They were far more interested in following man made rules than in observing God's law to love and care for people. They became upset when Jesus called God "My Father" because in so doing he was saying that he and the Father were equal. Then Jesus said these words...
Jesus gave them this answer: “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does
Jesus did not deny their claim that he was making himself equal to God. Instead, he wanted to make it absolutely clear that He was equal to God. The fact that he could heal was just one clear indication that His claim was indeed true.
I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life. (John 5:24)
John 5:8 "Sir", the invalid replied,"I have no one to help me into the poolwhen the water is stirred. while I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me."
ReplyDeleteThis man, an invalid for thirty eight years, never answered Jesus' question, "Do you want to get well?"
Didn't he hear? Was he so used to his inabliity to get into the pool for healing, he came up with the old, standard reason.
how sad.
Jesus, in his compassion, said, "(YOu) get up! Pick up your mat and walk"
Jesus commanded the man. The guy obeyed at once. Amazing action on the man's part. He just did it.
No, But. No what if. No how can I?' he just did it.
Jesus loved him so much that just his voice, perhaps eye contact so filled that man with love, hope, confidence that he obeyed immediately.
June Varnum